What you've heard: You should drink at least eight glasses of water a day to stay well hydrated, keep skin clear, and flush out toxins.
The truth: None of these claims holds water, according to a new study. Below, Stanley Goldfarb, M.D., professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and study coauthor, explains why you can toss the eight-glasses-a-day advice down the drain.

The average woman gets enough fluid through a healthy diet-- about two and a half quarts. Most of that comes from beverages (coffee, tea, and juice as well as water); up to a third is from juicy fare like leafy greens, apples, and yogurt.

If you're breakout-prone, all the water in the world won't keep your pores free of bacteria and dirt. The best approach for clear skin: cleansing, exfoliating, and using products that are oil-free.

Kidneys filter waste from the blood and regulate fluid levels -- two separate functions. The extra H2O you down simply keeps you in the loo.

Bottom line: Rather than relying on wishy-washy water lore, listen to your body -- when you're thirsty, drink up!

CLOSE PRINT

Myth Buster: You Need Eight Glasses of Water a Day A new study says this old wive's tale is all washed up By Amy Beal, Parenting What you've heard: You should drink at least eight glasses of water a day to stay well hydrated, keep skin clear, and flush out toxins. The truth: None of these claims holds water, according to a new study. Below, Stanley Goldfarb, M.D., professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and study coauthor, explains why you can toss the eight-glasses-a-day advice down the drain. The average woman gets enough fluid through a healthy diet-- about two and a half quarts. Most of that comes from beverages (coffee, tea, and juice as well as water); up to a third is from juicy fare like leafy greens, apples, and yogurt. If you're breakout-prone, all the water in the world won't keep your pores free of bacteria and dirt. The best approach for clear skin: cleansing, exfoliating, and using products that are oil-free. Kidneys filter waste from the blood and regulate fluid levels -- two separate functions. The extra H2O you down simply keeps you in the loo. Bottom line: Rather than relying on wishy-washy water lore, listen to your body -- when you're thirsty, drink up!